US7049531B2 - Modular electrical component with electrical circuit selector assembly - Google Patents
Modular electrical component with electrical circuit selector assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US7049531B2 US7049531B2 US10/824,085 US82408504A US7049531B2 US 7049531 B2 US7049531 B2 US 7049531B2 US 82408504 A US82408504 A US 82408504A US 7049531 B2 US7049531 B2 US 7049531B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electrical
- circuit selector
- protrusion
- opening
- selector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related, expires
Links
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012811 non-conductive material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/14—Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length
- H01R25/142—Their counterparts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R29/00—Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrical distribution system, and, more particularly, to a circuit selector assembly in an electrical distribution system.
- Each wiring harness also typically includes one or more output connectors, which are used for coupling with a modular electrical component, such as an electrical receptacle.
- Each output connector generally is in the form of a single row of terminals having ports, which are keyed to allow connection with only a particular type of electrical component. For example, a particular keying configuration for mating connectors ensures that only a particular one of multiple circuits within the wiring harness is connected therewith.
- Track type electrical distribution systems are known in which an extruded track has a housing with a plurality of slots extending therein. Each separate slot carries a single conductor bar.
- An electrical component such as an electrical receptacle, includes multiple different projections, which are respectively received within the multiple slots. Each projection electrically couples with a corresponding conductor bar in a corresponding slot.
- track type distribution systems effectively provide power to a modular electrical component, the multiple different slots and corresponding projections may be relatively complicated to manufacture. Further, with many track type distribution systems, there are no provisions to ensure that the modular electrical component is correctly coupled with the conductor bars, so as to prevent incorrect coupling, for example with reverse polarity.
- the present invention provides an electrical circuit selector method and apparatus for use in a track wiring system.
- the invention comprises, in one form thereof, an electrical circuit selector assembly including an electrical housing having at least one opening therein, the electrical housing having a first side and a second side. At least one electrical conductor is associated with the at least one opening on the first side and at least one circuit selector is positioned approximate to the at least one opening on the second side.
- the at least one circuit selector having a protrusion oriented to extend through the at least one opening and electrically contact at least one electrical conductor.
- the invention comprises, in another form thereof, a method of selecting a circuit including applying a force to a first spring beam of a circuit selector; deflecting a second spring beam of the circuit selector as a result of the applying step; contacting an electrical element with a portion of the circuit selector; and deflecting the first spring beam thereby placing a predetermined force on the electrical element.
- the present invention advantageously allows the installer to reconfigure a wiring harness associated with a track system.
- the track system can be configured by engaging actuators that are associated with separate circuit elements.
- FIG. 1 is perspective view of a circuit selector utilized in an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of multiple circuit selectors of FIG. 1 utilized in a circuit selection assembly;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with a part of the assembly removed for the sake of clarity;
- FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3 showing the actuation of some circuit selector elements
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single circuit selector element of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned schematical view of the circuit selector assembly and circuit selector of FIGS. 1-5 ;
- FIG. 7 is another view of the assembly of FIG. 6 showing a circuit selector element actuated
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the circuit selector of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a partially sectioned schematic view of a circuit selector of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned schematic view of the circuit selector of FIG. 9 in an engaged position.
- FIGS. 1-5 there is shown a track wiring system 10 in the form of an electrical circuit selection assembly 10 including support structure 12 , a housing 14 , electrical conductors 16 , openings 18 , flexible selectors 20 and actuators 22 .
- Support structure 12 may be connected to housing 14 and it supplies positional support for selector 20 .
- Support structure 12 may be indexed so as to position circuit selector 20 so that it can extend into an opening 18 and contact electrical conductor 16 .
- Housing 14 is a non-conductive material that positions electrical conductors 16 in a generally parallel manner with each other. Housing 14 includes an opening 18 that is associated with each electrical conductor 16 . Openings 18 allow circuit selector 20 to electrically engage selected conductors 16 to thereby energize the electrical track system.
- Circuit selectors 20 include an actuator interface 24 also known as a first spring beam 24 , a contact protrusion 26 , also known as an electrical contact 26 , a mid-portion 28 , also known as a second spring beam 28 , a secured portion 30 , an indexing protrusion 32 , a crimp portion 34 and a wire 36 connected thereto.
- Actuator interface 24 co-acts as a spring beam 24 so that an actuator 22 , when encountering actuator interface 23 , causes circuit selector 20 to flex at mid-portion 28 .
- Contact protrusion 28 is shaped to easily clear the sides of opening 18 and to contact an electrical conductor 16 along a face of protrusion 26 .
- Secured portion 30 is connected to support structure 12 and utilizes indexing protrusion 32 to orient circuit selector 20 so that protrusion 26 is properly positioned to enter opening 18 and that actuator interface 24 is properly positioned to encounter a corresponding actuator 22 .
- Crimp portion 34 is crimped upon an electrical conductor 36 to thereby pass electrical current to or from electrical conductor 16 when circuit selector 20 is engaged with a corresponding electrical conductor 16 .
- Multiple circuit selectors 20 are arranged in a track wiring system so that individual electrical circuits may be connected to selected corresponding electrical conductors 16 .
- FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown the actuation of a circuit selector 20 with a conductor 16 .
- actuators 22 When actuators 22 are removed second spring beam 28 causes each circuit selector 20 to disengage from electrical conductors 16 thereby opening all electrical circuits that had been established.
- Actuators 22 are connected to plate 38 and are either adjustably positioned therein or can be simply removed by cutting or breaking them from plate 38 . The adjustability of an actuator 22 or the removal of an actuator 22 can be utilized to configure the electrical power supplied to the track wiring system.
- Actuator 22 applies an initial force against first spring beam 24 , which substantially causes second spring beam 28 to bend as protrusion 26 approaches electrical conductor 16 . Once protrusion 26 contacts conductor 16 further force directed against first spring beam 24 by actuator 22 , causes first spring beam 24 to deflect to thereby ensure that a predetermined force is placed against conductor 16 by contact protrusion 26 .
- the movement of plate 38 in direction A causes circuit selector 20 to move in direction B until the engagement of circuit selector 20 against a corresponding conductor 16 .
- the movement of plate 38 in a direction opposite of direction A removes force from actuator interface 24 , thereby allowing second spring beam 28 to return to its original position thereby disconnecting an electrical circuit.
- FIGS. 8-10 there is shown another embodiment of electrical selection assembly 10 wherein actuator interface 24 is contacted by cam 40 having a shaft 42 with a Phillips type screw head.
- This arrangement allows engagement, by an installer, of a selected circuit by circuit selector 20 .
- the installer rotates shaft 42 with a Phillips screwdriver thereby causing cam 40 to impinge against a portion of actuator interface 24 and bending second spring beam 28 until contact protrusion 26 contacts conductor 16 .
- Cam 40 continues and places additional force on first spring beam 24 thereby causing it to flex and apply a predetermined force on contact protrusion 26 against conductor 16 .
- the system advantageously applies power to selected elements in electrical selection assembly 10 to thereby configure a track wiring system, which allows easy reconfiguration thereof.
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- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/824,085 US7049531B2 (en) | 2003-05-29 | 2004-04-14 | Modular electrical component with electrical circuit selector assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US47480203P | 2003-05-29 | 2003-05-29 | |
US10/824,085 US7049531B2 (en) | 2003-05-29 | 2004-04-14 | Modular electrical component with electrical circuit selector assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040238337A1 US20040238337A1 (en) | 2004-12-02 |
US7049531B2 true US7049531B2 (en) | 2006-05-23 |
Family
ID=33457636
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/824,085 Expired - Fee Related US7049531B2 (en) | 2003-05-29 | 2004-04-14 | Modular electrical component with electrical circuit selector assembly |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7049531B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100151724A1 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2010-06-17 | Kondas Shawn J | Wall panel electrical distribution system |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBS20110085A1 (en) * | 2011-06-10 | 2012-12-11 | Flex S P A | FRAME ASSEMBLY |
USD757656S1 (en) | 2015-04-21 | 2016-05-31 | Norman R. Byrne | Electrical bus bar |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4767355A (en) * | 1984-09-28 | 1988-08-30 | Stewart Stamping Corp. | Jack and connector |
US5280254A (en) * | 1992-03-16 | 1994-01-18 | Trompeter Electronics, Inc. | Connector assembly |
JP3267890B2 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 2002-03-25 | ヒロセ電機株式会社 | Coaxial connector for antenna switching |
FR2773244B1 (en) * | 1997-12-26 | 2000-01-28 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | SWITCH FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF AN ELECTRONIC MEMORY CARD IN A READ-WRITE DEVICE |
US5944547A (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 1999-08-31 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Connector shorting bar retention |
JP3581063B2 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2004-10-27 | 山一電機株式会社 | Switch structure of card connector |
SE515495C2 (en) * | 1999-12-30 | 2001-08-13 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | ESD protection device for a memory card holder |
US6612856B1 (en) * | 2001-12-17 | 2003-09-02 | 3Com Corporation | Apparatus and methods for preventing cable-discharge damage to electronic equipment |
-
2004
- 2004-04-14 US US10/824,085 patent/US7049531B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100151724A1 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2010-06-17 | Kondas Shawn J | Wall panel electrical distribution system |
US7922508B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2011-04-12 | Group Dekko, Inc. | Electrical distribution system with a jumper assembly having a telescopic slider |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20040238337A1 (en) | 2004-12-02 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., INDIANA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KONDAS, SHAWN J.;HAYES, DANIEL L.;REEL/FRAME:015228/0629 Effective date: 20040330 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC, AS AGENT,ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:PENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;DEKKO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017971/0469 Effective date: 20060720 Owner name: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC, AS AGENT, ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:PENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;DEKKO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017971/0469 Effective date: 20060720 |
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CC | Certificate of correction | ||
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GROUP DEKKO, INC., INDIANA Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:021936/0719 Effective date: 20071227 Owner name: GROUP DEKKO, INC.,INDIANA Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:021936/0719 Effective date: 20071227 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT, ILLINO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GROUP DEKKO, INC.;REEL/FRAME:026503/0966 Effective date: 20110624 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
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FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.) |
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LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.) |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
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FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20180523 |